Innovation

Graduating high school students across the nation are faced with deciding whether to continue their education or enter the workforce. Many seek higher education in order to improve career opportunities and gain economic prosperity and social mobility (Blackwell & Pinder, 2014). The College Board claims that the average annual income for individuals who have a baccalaureate degree is $53,976. The unemployment rate among these graduates is 4.7 percent, which is lower than the U.S. unemployment rate of 6.7 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). While these statistics look promising, the...

The Make It Center: Career Exploration Today for Tomorrow

Tags: Access, Community Relations, Diversity, Learning Resources, Partnerships, Workforce Preparation

June 2023

Imagine a place where individuals of all ages and their families can come for the ultimate hands-on career exploration experience. At Austin Community College’s (ACC) Make It Center (MIC), the possibilities are boundless. This innovative new hub will revolutionize the way we perceive career pathways by introducing visitors to a multitude of options they may have never considered before. Through dynamic partnerships and collaborative efforts, the MIC will inform, inspire, and captivate students and community members alike, empowering them to uncover meaningful careers that align with their...

Barriers to Academic Success: A Qualitative Study of African American and Latino Male Students

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June 2016

Students of color, males in particular, face significant challenges in higher education. African American male students, on average, are less successful than other racial/ethnic groups, including African American women. Compared to Asian/Pacific Islander or White/Non-Hispanic students, they are less likely to succeed in both developmental and college-level coursework and are more likely to drop out. Latino students are the least likely of all racial/ethnic groups to transfer. African American students and Latino males have the lowest persistence rates (Elgin Community College, 2010). Students...

Perceived Impact of a Doctoral Community College Leadership Program at College of the Desert

Tags: Leadership Development

June 2023

Southern California is home to Desert Community College District, more commonly known as the College of the Desert (COD). In May 2018, the institution's board of trustees aligned with its core value of lifelong learning and committed approximately $1 million to support a diverse group of 23 faculty and administrators on their professional development journeys. The investment allowed these individuals to participate in Kansas State University’s (KSU) doctoral Community College Leadership Program (CCLP), created and led by nationally recognized community college leaders John E. Roueche, Terry...

Award-Winning Programs at League Board and Alliance Institutions Exemplify Community College Innovation

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June 2023

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Innovation of the Year Award winners from 32 participating League member colleges! The League initiated the Innovation of the Year Award over 35 years ago to recognize local community college programs and initiatives that reflect the spirit of innovation and experimentation on which our organization was founded. The award provides an opportunity for colleges to showcase their innovative efforts; celebrate the dedicated educators, staff, and administrators who are responsible for this exceptional work; and promote a culture of innovation at their institutions....

Dallas College: Minting High-Quality Early Educators Through a New Degree and Real-World Experience

Tags: Access, Partnerships, Programs and Disciplines, Workforce Preparation

June 2023

For the first time in its 57-year history, Dallas College is graduating a class of bachelor’s degree students this year. This occasion marks a pivotal moment for more than 100 students at one of Texas’s largest community college systems, which previously offered associate degrees as its highest degree credential. The program presents students with a life-changing opportunity via a full tuition scholarship and career pathway toward a $60k first-year job. Furthermore, this innovative program attracted the attention of the Bezos Foundation, resulting in the launch of a tuition-free, on-campus...